The Department of Water and Sanitation met with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) on the 1st of August to present the results of the Hammanskraal joint water sampling it conducted with the Commission and the City of Tshwane.

The meeting follows an invite by the Commission to the Department and the City of Tshwane to jointly present the sampling results.

The sample analysis was done by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratory to determine whether or not the water is fit for human consumption as per the South African National Standards (SANS) 241.

Based on the results, which showed the water as being unfit for drinking, a position the DWS has held over time, and discussions, a decision was taken that the SAHRC will conduct public hearings involving affected and interested parties.

The proposed dates for the hearings will be communicated in due course.